Iran releases all 16 Indians onboard Israeli-linked ship seized from Strait of Hormuz

New Delhi: Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said that the country has released all crew members of the Portuguese-flagged ship MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has engaged in discussions with his Iranian counterpart regarding the situation. Sources indicate that the 16 Indian crew members will initially disembark at a port before traveling to Tehran. Upon arrival, their travel documents will be processed with assistance from the Indian Embassy. Subsequently, they will proceed to return home.

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The vessel, manned by 25 crew members, including 17 Indians, saw the release of the sole woman, Ann Tessa Joseph, on April 18. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian described the crew’s release as a humanitarian gesture, allowing them to return to their respective countries alongside the ship’s captain. However, Iran retains control of the vessel under judicial detention.

MEA confirms crew’s good health

The Ministry of External Affairs had previously stated that the fate of the Indian crew was contingent on various factors, including contractual obligations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the crew’s good health and ongoing communication with Iranian authorities regarding their release. Iran asserted that the seized ship had deactivated its radar in Iranian territorial waters, posing a threat to navigation security.

Houthis continue targeting merchant ships

Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi militia continued targeting merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting some vessels to reroute through the Indian Ocean to avoid attacks. The Houthis recently expanded their targeted area to include the Indian Ocean, as evidenced by the drone attack on the merchant vessel MSC Orion, located approximately 600 kilometres off the coast of Yemen.

Houthis’ tactics and technology

This marked the first confirmed deep-sea assault claimed by the Houthis, raising concerns about their operational capabilities. Despite lacking an expeditionary naval fleet or access to advanced satellite technology, the Houthis have extended their reach beyond traditional attack zones, such as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, to target vessels in the Indian Ocean. This expansion has prompted questions about the group’s tactics and capabilities in conducting long-distance attacks.